Business Consulting Saudi Arabia

For those conducting business in Saudi Arabia, there are some general rules and guidelines to help ensure successful cross-cultural management. First, remember that Saudi businesses operate in an extremely conservative fashion, therefore always maintain the necessary level of formality and treat everyone with respect, especially older and more senior colleagues. Also, a Saudi sponsor is necessary to enter the country. This sponsor acts as an intermediary making necessary arrangements and appointments. Appearances are important, therefore you should dress to impress with conservative and quality clothes and stay in a highly regarded hotel. Successful cross-cultural management also requires insight into the role of managers, the Saudi approach to time, risk, and communications. Cross-cultural awareness will help provide an understanding of the established roles that exist in the business hierarchy. Generally, managers make the decisions, but only after lengthy discussions with major stakeholders. The employees follow these decisions, usually without question. Honour and reputation play a critical role in Saudi Arabia, thus cross-cultural sensitivity is needed, especially when working in a collaborative setting. To encourage participation, you must establish a non-threatening work environment and actively invite team-member participation. Patience is a necessary cross-cultural component in conducting business in Saudi Arabia. Expect that meetings will take longer than required, and be aware that punctuality is an expectation placed on Westerners, but not Saudis. While globalization and intercultural expansion mean that some local managers may have an appreciation for deadlines and schedules, do not expect that this is the norm. Rather, be sure to reinforce the importance or urgency of agreed-upon deadlines if necessary. Saudi culture is adverse to both risks and changes. Consequently, new projects will be carefully analyzed for all potential risks and solutions. In order to be accepted, new ideas must appear good for the group. Here intercultural sensitivity is particularly important as the negative ramifications of failure on both the individual and the group highly influence the Saudi attitude towards risk. In Saudi Arabia, everything is negotiable, and the Saudis are tough negotiators. Repeat your main points to demonstrate that you are telling the truth and avoid high-pressure tactics. Expect extreme initial offers, and be prepared to compromise if someone’s honour is at stake. If asked to make concessions, do so with great reluctance and insist upon a similar concession from your negotiating partner. Because business in Saudi Arabia is personal, cross-cultural understanding is absolutely necessary for success.

Arab Swiss Consulting offers you the following services:

Inform you about the business fields that are currently important in Saudi Arabia.

Consult you with the selection of the products applicable to the decision-makers in Saudi Arabia.

Advise you in the preparation and presentation of tenders.

Help in the translation of information brochures, product descriptions, etc.

Offer a complete organization of business trips to meet the decision makers from business and politics in Saudi Arabia.

Spport for the settlement of transactions from the first interview to the contract.

Inform you about the investment and economic laws in Bahrain.

Offer complete support for the selection of office buildings and accommodation in Saudi Arabia for your employees, the recruitment of Saudi Arabia employees.

Expand contact to the authorities, companies, organizations, lawyers and notaries.

For those conducting business in Saudi Arabia, there are some general rules and guidelines to help ensure successful cross-cultural management. First, remember that Saudi businesses operate in an extremely conservative fashion, therefore always maintain the necessary level of formality and treat everyone with respect, especially older and more senior colleagues. Also, a Saudi sponsor is necessary to enter the country. This sponsor acts as an intermediary making necessary arrangements and appointments. Appearances are important, therefore you should dress to impress with conservative and quality clothes and stay in a highly regarded hotel. Successful cross-cultural management also requires insight into the role of managers, the Saudi approach to time, risk, and communications. Cross-cultural awareness will help provide an understanding of the established roles that exist in the business hierarchy. Generally, managers make the decisions, but only after lengthy discussions with major stakeholders. The employees follow these decisions, usually without question. Honour and reputation play a critical role in Saudi Arabia, thus cross-cultural sensitivity is needed, especially when working in a collaborative setting. To encourage participation, you must establish a non-threatening work environment and actively invite team-member participation. Patience is a necessary cross-cultural component in conducting business in Saudi Arabia. Expect that meetings will take longer than required, and be aware that punctuality is an expectation placed on Westerners, but not Saudis. While globalization and intercultural expansion mean that some local managers may have an appreciation for deadlines and schedules, do not expect that this is the norm. Rather, be sure to reinforce the importance or urgency of agreed-upon deadlines if necessary. Saudi culture is adverse to both risks and changes. Consequently, new projects will be carefully analyzed for all potential risks and solutions. In order to be accepted, new ideas must appear good for the group. Here intercultural sensitivity is particularly important as the negative ramifications of failure on both the individual and the group highly influence the Saudi attitude towards risk. In Saudi Arabia, everything is negotiable, and the Saudis are tough negotiators. Repeat your main points to demonstrate that you are telling the truth and avoid high-pressure tactics. Expect extreme initial offers, and be prepared to compromise if someone’s honour is at stake. If asked to make concessions, do so with great reluctance and insist upon a similar concession from your negotiating partner. Because business in Saudi Arabia is personal, cross-cultural understanding is absolutely necessary for success.